MUSCOYS INAUGURATES NEW EXECUTIVE, GBADAMOSI UNVEILS EDUCATION, ZAKAT AND POVERTY-REDUCTION AGENDA
The Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) has inaugurated a new executive to pilot the affairs of the Muslim community in the state for the next three years, with the new Chairman, Mr Kazeem Gbadamosi, SAN, unveiling an agenda focused on education, Zakat, Sadaqah and poverty reduction.
The inauguration ceremony, held on Sunday at the MUSCOYS Secretariat in Ibadan, brought together prominent Muslim leaders, scholars, community stakeholders and members of the Muslim Ummah.
Gbadamosi, who emerged as Chairman of the new executive, is expected to lead the community in implementing programmes and initiatives aimed at advancing the welfare and development of Muslims across the state.
Other members of the executive inaugurated alongside him are Alhaji Lawal Olalere, Deputy Chairman; Alhaji Olasupo Abubakri Adeyemi; Dr AbdulAkeem Ayoade Raji; Khalifa Quadri Olohunlolowo; Daud Salaudeen Bibire; Alhaji Najeemdeen Morawo; and Dr Amzat Mumuni, who will serve as Vice Chairmen.
The administrative team comprises Professor Taofeeq Yekinni, Secretary General; Dr Jimoh Wasiu Ademola, Deputy Secretary General; and Bro. Dawood Mansour, Bro. Belawu Yinusa Olanrewaju, Musibau Wasiu Moyosore, Adesokan Teslim Oyewunmi, Bello Sirajudeen Adewale and Salami Lasisi Adebayo as Assistant Secretaries General.
Also inaugurated were Adesokan Isiaka Ayokomi, Treasurer; Sanni Risikat Adebola, Assistant Treasurer; Ojebisi Mujidat Folashade, Assistant Financial Secretary; Maruff Olabamiji Yusuf, Public Relations Officer; Alimi Yusau Ayotunde, Welfare Officer; Wasiu Akorede Lamidi, Legal Officer; and Imam Abdul-Jelil A. A. Olajori, Da’wah Officer.
The Ex-Officio Members are Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade and Tajudeen Adeniji.
Dr Olayide Mojeed Ladipupo was also inaugurated as Chairman of the Management Board of Oyo State Muslim Hospital, Ibadan, while Alhaja Nusirat Bakare was inaugurated as a member of the hospital’s Management Board.
The ceremony was attended by the Executive Secretary of the Muslim Ummah of South West of Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Wole Abass; the Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland, Sheikh Bilal Akinola Akewugberu; Baba Isale Musulumi of Oyo State, Chief Nureni Akanbi; and the outgoing Chairman of MUSCOYS, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, among other dignitaries.
LEADERSHIP IS A TRUST, NOT AN AVENUE FOR WEALTH ACCUMULATION — OLADOSU
The guest lecturer, former Dean of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ibadan and Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Professor Afeez Oladosu, charged political and community leaders to regard leadership positions as opportunities to serve God and humanity rather than avenues for illegal accumulation of wealth.
Oladosu particularly advised political office seekers ahead of the forthcoming general elections to remember that public office is a trust and must not be used to corner state resources for personal benefit.
He urged leaders to remain conscious of the fact that they would ultimately account for their actions.
“In my presentation, I told the gathering that all of us will account for our deeds. We should see positions of authority as service to God and humanity and not service to ourselves. We should use the opportunity to connect with the less privileged,” he said.
The scholar commended the outgoing MUSCOYS executive for its achievements and urged the new administration to build on the foundation already laid.
He also called on leaders across the country to see public office as an opportunity to serve Nigerians and improve the welfare of the people rather than an avenue for personal enrichment.
GBADAMOSI PROMISES EDUCATION, ZAKAT INITIATIVES
In his inaugural address, Gbadamosi pledged that his administration would liaise with the Oyo State Government to improve the condition of public schools across the state.
According to him, improving the standard and condition of public schools would amount to investing in the future of the younger generation while contributing to the reduction of social problems in the state.
“Most importantly, I said that we will liaise with the government to improve the condition of public schools in Oyo State, because if we improve the condition of schools, we are saving the future,” Gbadamosi stated.
He also disclosed that the new administration would encourage Muslims to pay Zakat and Sadaqah, with the resources distributed to people in need as part of efforts to reduce poverty across the state.
He described the initiative as one that would require sustained encouragement and mobilisation of Muslims across Oyo State.
MUSCOYS HONOURS OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES
The occasion also featured the presentation of awards to individuals recognised for their selfless service and contributions to the Muslim community and society.
The award recipients were Alhaji Waheed Amoo, Dr Taofeek Adekunle Abdul-Hameed, Professor Adewale Musa Olomu and Alhaji Yekeen Balogun.
AKEWUGBERU HAILS MUSLIM UNITY
The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Bilal Akinola Akewugberu, described the coming together of Muslims in Oyo State under MUSCOYS as a significant development capable of strengthening unity within the Ummah.
Akewugberu said the development represented a renewed awakening of Islamic consciousness in Oyo State and could have a positive impact on the wider Muslim community across the Southwest.
“Alhamdulillah, it is a reawakening process that is promoting a renaissance of Islamic consciousness within the fold of the Ummah in Oyo State in particular and, by extension, in the entire Southwest Ummah,” he said.
He prayed for divine guidance for the new leadership and for the acceptance of the efforts and supplications of the Muslim community.
The inauguration marked the commencement of a new three-year administration of MUSCOYS, with the Gbadamosi-led executive expected to build on previous achievements while advancing programmes in education, poverty alleviation, social welfare, Islamic unity and constructive engagement with government and other stakeholders
